Aventis began to ship its influenza vaccine (Fluzone(R), Influenza Virus Vaccine) today, meeting the company's goal to provide Fluzone vaccine to customers to allow health-care providers to plan successful immunization programs for the upcoming influenza season.
These are the first shipments of influenza vaccine this year by any manufacturer directly to providers.
Aventis Pasteur, the vaccines business of Aventis, is one of the leading suppliers of influenza vaccine in the United States. "Aventis Pasteur is pleased our customers will receive influenza vaccine to allow health-care providers extra time to plan and schedule immunization programs," said Jim Robinson, vice president of industrial operations for Aventis Pasteur in the United States. "Our company has worked diligently to ensure the production and distribution of Fluzone vaccine will be completed to allow for the timely shipment of vaccine."
Aventis Pasteur originally informed customers they would receive vaccine shipments beginning in September. Earlier shipments, however, became possible due to a strong production year. The company estimates it will produce over 50 million doses of influenza vaccine for the 2004-05 influenza season depending on customer demand.
The 2004-05 influenza vaccine formulation contains the A/Fujian/411/2002 (H3N2)-like, A/New Caledonia/20/99 (H1N1)-like and B/Shanghai/361/2002-like strains. The three strains for the new influenza vaccine formulation were confirmed by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), Center for Biologics Evaluation & Research, Vaccines Research & Related Biological Products Advisory Committee in March 2004. The FDA's decision corresponds with recommendations made by the World Health Organization in February. Influenza vaccine is reformulated each year to match the strain predicted to circulate in the coming season.